‘Why ex-Presidential panel member can’t treat hypertension in South Africa’

The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation yesterday urged a Federal High Court in Abuja to decline a request by retired Air Commodore Mohammed Dikko Umar to be allowed two months to treat hypertension in South Africa.

Umar, an ex-member of the Presidential Committee investigating procurement of arms and equipment in the Armed Forces, is being tried with his company – Easy Jet Integrated Services Limited, on charges of money laundering, illegal possession of firearms and violation of Official Secret Act.

Umar’s lawyer, Hassan Liman (SAN) had in February 14 application urged the court to allow his client travel to South Africa for two months to treat hypertension and other ailments.

But, in a counter-affidavit to the application, a lawyer representing the AGF’s office, Shuaibu Labaran argued that Umar’s request was not only ridiculous, there was no credible evidence to support his claim to ill-health and that his ailment cannot be treated locally.

He said Umar, while in detention, never complained of any medical ailment and did not show any sign of “either hypertension nor hyperlipidemia.”

Labaran, who I the lead prosecuting lawyer, said Umar has not shown concrete evidence and an effective medical report from a medical facility in Nigeria to corroborate his claim to ill-health.

He said: “The defendant/applicant attached to his affidavit, EXHIBIT A, a letter purported to be an invitation from one Dr. R. M. S. KAJEE, a Private General Practitioner of 173 Rivonia Road, Rochester Place, Block A, Sandton, South Africa, requesting the defendant/applicant to come for a routine medical checkup;

“The defendant/applicant’s medical condition can be effectively treated in any medical facility in Nigeria by any general practitioner;

“The defendant/applicant’s medical report EXHIBIT A was not precise and did not show any need for a medical checkup outside Nigeria;

“The supposed medical report exhibited did not show reasons or a medical history that the defendant/applicant’s ill health could not be sufficiently attended by appropriate medical practitioners in Nigeria.

“The defendant/applicant is merely looking for an excuse to delay the trial and if possible jump bail. This court has the power to refuse this application. Refusing this application will better serve the interest of justice,” he said.

Although the court had planned to hear the application yesterday, the hearing was however postponed when Liman sought time to respond to the prosecution’s counter-affidavit.